Paralympic Champion Mark Rohan edged into silver by World Cup newcomer; silver too for Colin Lynch

Colin Lynch got his World Cup off to a good start, taking silver in the TT in Italy today, though Mark Rohan was unexpectedly beaten.

The all-conquering Paralympic and World Champion Mark Rohan has been unexpectedly beaten in his time trial event on the opening day of the World Cup meeting in Merano in northern Italy.

He had to settle for the silver medal today, having been bested by a newcomer to the discipline. It was Rohan’s first international outing since the Paralympic Games last year where he won double gold and his first foreign race since joining the Westmeath GAA senior football squad’s backroom team.

However, while his silver was a disappointment when judged against his own high achievements in recent years, the fact Colin Lynch also won silver today meant it was still a strong start for the Irish.

Handcyclist Rohan was out powered by Italian Luca Mazzone in the TT. The winner is new to the race scene. Aaron Keith from the USA pushed Lynch into second place in the MC2 TT.

Cycling Ireland head coach, Brian Nugent said it was a welcome return to competition for the riders, with the full squad in action in coming days in the road races.

“It is good to see where we stand at the beginning of a new cycle, especially when we are starting with two silver medals. There have been a number of changes in our squads and in the squads of other nations, so we are looking forward to the road races over the weekend and building on this performance towards the World Cup in Segovia next weekend.”

Full Team:

World Cup Italy:

Catherine Walsh & Fran Meehan

*Katie-George Dunlevy & Anne Dalton